Reports of English-only comments at Stewpot day camp scrutinized by some in Hispanic community

A group of Latinos is scrutinizing reports that a staffer at the Stewpot of First Presbyterian Church asked that only English be spoken among children attending a day camp.

The Stewpot offers free meals, community programs for children and other social services for the homeless and “at-risk” individuals. For decades, it has run a summer program for low-income children.

The Rev. Bruce Buchanan, the Stewpot’s director and associate pastor at First Presbyterian, said no English-only policy has been put into place at the Stewpot.

“We try to strengthen language skills,” he said. “English is encouraged but is not required. And no one is penalized for speaking another language.”

Buchanan acknowledged some statement was made to the children as they were gathering to leave or move into other program areas. He termed it a “misunderstanding” and said there was no mandate for only English to be spoken among the children.

He defended the program, saying it enhances high school graduation rates and helps students get into college.

Vigorous commentary spread Wednesday morning after a detailed posting on an email list received by about 1,500 people and run by DFW International Community Alliance. The list is called LaRedLatinaDFW. Red is Spanish for network.

In Dallas and many parts of Texas, it’s easy to find Mexican-Americans and Mexican immigrants who remember being paddled or punished in schools for speaking Spanish decades back.

On Wednesday, some asked for “sensitivity training” at the Stewpot or that the staff member involved be fired — after an apology to the children for allegedly getting on a microphone to address the children.

“We are in 2013, and this is embarrassing,” said Hilda Duarte, who works at a charter school in Dallas. “It’s like asking Rosa Parks to sit in the back of the bus — again. The children deserve to be treated in a nurturing manner.”

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